Expert: Scottgem - 8/1/2003

Question
greetings,

 I'm an EE student working on DSP issues. One of the tasks that i need to do is to draw a block-diagram of different components, link them together, and through an ASCII-based text (could be anything, from plain txt to excel perhaps) get an output, such as blocks changing colors (from green to red meaning they're off), or such basic tasks. example: suppose u have a layout of different components treated as 'black' boxes, linked together through connectors. a binary thread of 101 will light up the first box in green, the second in red and the third in green.

 I have thought of microsoft visio, which makes shape and diagramming an easy task, and also thought of its ability to connect to visual basic, thus making it liable to 'automation'.

questions:
- i'm not familiar with either programs (programmed only in C++, matlab, hdl, assembly,... but not basic, nor worked with visio). is this a good choice? or shall i build a c++ program instead, and spend countless hours trying to work out the graphics? Is this an easy task?
- How do i do this? what are your thoughts on how i should do it? Could u give me ideas about the files i need to create? so far, the basic plan is to:a)create a layout using visio, b)try to figure out a way to connect the shapes to vb, c)try to figure out the commands that will give me the desired output.

 I think i'm clueless! ANY comments, suggestions, tips, sample codes and examples are VERY welcome.
 Thank you,
 have a nice day!

Answer
Visio is the BEST choice. Its extremely easy to use and you can do a great deal by just manipulating the properties. I have a book on programming for Visio that should help you. I don't have it with me but if you search Amazon or BN for Visio Programming you should find it.

Hope this helps,
Scott<>

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